What does hoodie mean?
A hoodie is a casual, hooded top—most often a cotton or fleece sweatshirt—worn over the head to cover the neck and head or to provide warmth. It commonly has a drawstring hood, ribbed cuffs and waist, and sometimes a kangaroo-style front pocket. In everyday English, “hoodie” refers both to the garment and, by extension, to its practical, informal style, especially in sportswear and streetwear. The word arose in American English in the 1940s for hooded athletic sweatshirts and became especially widespread through school, university, and sports clothing. British and American speakers use the noun similarly, although regional styles differ in fabric, fit, and proportions. In somewhat informal usage, especially in British English, “hoodie” can also be a verb meaning to put on or wear a hoodie. Compared with the broader word “sweatshirt,” a hoodie is distinguished by having a hood.
A hooded sweatshirt or pullover, usually made from cotton, fleece, or similar fabric and worn as casual clothing.
"I wore a black hoodie to keep warm on the walk home."
Common in everyday speech and informal writing; styles and uses overlap across British and American English.
To put on or wear a hoodie.
"He hoodied up before going outside."
Chiefly informal and more common in British English.
The standard plural of the noun hoodie; it refers to multiple hooded garments or, informally, to multiple people wearing them.
"The shop sells hoodies in several colors."
Born from “hood” and the diminutive suffix “-ie,” the hoodie went from athletic team gear to an everyday uniform.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hoodie come from?
Hoodie is an English diminutive formed from “hood” and the suffix “-ie.” The term became established in American English during the 1940s for a hooded athletic sweatshirt and later spread into general clothing. The older root “hood” also appears in words such as “hoodwink,” “hooded,” and “hoodless,” although these developed independently in meaning.
Related word forms
How hoodie is actually used
As a noun, hoodie is an everyday and generally informal term for casual clothing. As a verb, chiefly associated with British informal usage, it means to put on or wear a hoodie.
Easily confused with hoodie
A hood is a covering for the head and neck, whereas a hoodie is the entire garment worn over the head.